Methods for controlling fungi

ABSTRACT

Both novel and known S-(substituted-phenyl) N-alkylthiolcarbamates such as 4-fluorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate, and S-(substituted-phenyl) N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamates such as 2-chlorophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate are disclosed. These are useful to control plant pests such as Phytophthorans infestans (Late Blight of Tomatoes) and Pythium ultimum (Damping Off). Also disclosed are the methods of controlling this plant pest with these compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns S-(substituted-phenyl) N-alkylthiolcarbamates and S-(substituted-phenyl) N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamates, particularly those in which the alkyl is from one to four carbon atoms and their control of plant pests such a Phytophthorans infestans and Pythium ultimum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Plant pests such as fungi of Phytophthorans infestans and Pythium ultimum, continually affect the growth of crops, trees, and other desirable vegetation. One method of controlling plant pests such as fungi is by application of chemicals which affect the fungi. These chemicals are applied to the soil, to the desirable plant, or directly to the fungi itself. Because thousands of species of fungi exist, which differ in tolerance to chemicals, new chemicals must be discovered which are effective to control the deleterious effects of particular fungi.

The prior art shows that certain thiolcarbamates are effective against plant pests. The following patents and references illustrate the different thiolcarbamates claimed to be effective against certain plant pests.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,977,209 and 3,265,563 disclose S-phenyl N-alkylthiolcarbamates, S-chlorophenyl N-alkylthiolcarbamates, S-ethoxyphenyl N-allylthiolcarbamate, S-ethoxyphenyl N-alkylthiolcarbamates, S-p-tolyl N-alkylthiolcarbamates, and S-2,4-dimethylphenyl N-alkylthiolcarbamates as herbicides and fungicides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,332 discloses S-4-methylbenzyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate as a herbicide for rice fields. U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,885 discloses S-substituted phenyl N-alkyl, N-alkoxythiolcarbamates as herbicides, miticides, and insecticides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,653 discloses trifluoromethylbenzyl N-alkylthiolcarbamates as herbicides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,189 and Canadian Pat. No. 789,575 disclose S-alkyl N-alkylthiocarbamates as nematocides. R. Reimschneider and O. Lorenz, in Monstsch., 84, 518 (1953) describe S-phenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, and D. G. Crosby and C. Niemann, Journal of American Chemical Society, 76, 4458 (1954) describe S-phenyl N-cyclohexylthiolcarbamate, and S-phenyl N-phenylthiolcarbamate. Netherlands Pat. No. 6,606,753 discloses S-phenyl N-trifluoromethylphenylthiocarbamate and S-substituted phenyl N-substituted trifluoromethylphenylthiocarbamates as anthelmintics. M. S. Newman and H. A. Karnes, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 31, pages 3980-3983 describe S-β -naphthyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-2-nitrophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-3-nitrophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-2,4,5-trichlorophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-3-trifluoromethylphenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-2,3,5,6-tetramethylpentyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-4-tert-butylphenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, S-2-methoxyphenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate, and S-4-methoxyphenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,932,632 discloses insecticides of dithiophosphate compounds mixed with S-aryl N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamates, or S-aryl N,N-dialkylenethiolcarbamates, or S-aryl N,N-dialkynylthiolcarbamates, or S-aryl N,N-(alkyl, alkylene, or alkynyl), (alkyl, alkylene, or alkynyl) thiolcarbamates where the aryl may be a substituted phenyl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns both novel and known substituted phenylthiolcarbamates of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: Ar is 4-nitrophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,4-dibromophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, or 2-chlorophenyl;

R₁ is hydrogen, or an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms;

R₂ is an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms;

and their use to control plant pests, such as Phytophthorans infestans and Pythium ultimum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The S-(substituted-phenyl) N-alkylthiolcarbamates, and S-(substituted-phenyl) N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamates are represented by the general graphic formula: ##STR2## wherein: Ar is a substituted phenyl of 4-nitrophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,4-dibromophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, and 2-chlorophenyl;

R₁ is hydrogen, or an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms; and

R₂ is an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms.

The phrase "an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms" as used herein and in the claims refers to:

methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, and tert-butyl.

Some specific compounds which are representative of the novel compounds in which Ar is any of the substituted phenyls mentioned herein, R₁ is hydrogen, and R₂ is an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms mentioned herein are:

S-4-nitrophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N-ethylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N-n-propylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dibromophenyl N-isopropylthiolcarbamate;

S-2-chlorophenyl N-n-butylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-nitrophenyl N-sec-butylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N-isobutylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N-tert-butylthiolcarbamate; and

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-isopropylthiolcarbamate.

When Ar is any of the substituted phenyls mentioned herein, and R₁ is hydrogen. Those preferred R₂ alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl. Specific compounds representative of these preferred compounds are:

S-4-nitrophenyl N-ethylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N-n-propylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N-isopropylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dibromophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-2-chlorophenyl N-ethylthiolcarbamate; and

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-n-propylthiolcarbamate.

When R₁ is hydrogen, those compounds are especially preferred in which Ar is any of the substituted phenyls mentioned herein, and R₂ is methyl. Specific compounds being:

S-4-nitrophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dibromophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-2-chlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate; and

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate.

Some specific compounds representative of the compounds in which Ar is any of the substituted phenyls mentioned herein, and R₁ and R₂ are any of the alkyls mentioned herein are:

S-4-nitrophenyl N-methyl, N-tert-butylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N-ethyl, N-isobutylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N-n-propyl, N-sec-butylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dibromophenyl N-isopropyl N-butylthiolcarbamate;

S-2-chlorophenyl N-butyl N-methylthiolcarbamate; and

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N,N-dibutylthiolcarbamate.

When R₁ and R₂ are alkyls, those compounds are preferred in which Ar is any of the substituted phenyls mentioned herein, R₁ is methyl, and R₂ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or isopropyl. Specific compounds representative of these preferred compounds are:

S-4-nitrophenyl N-methyl, N-methylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N-methyl, N-ethylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N-methyl, N-n-propylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dibromophenyl N-methyl, N-isopropylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methyl, N-isopropylthiolcarbamate; and

S-2-chlorophenyl N-methyl, N-propylthiolcarbamate.

Where R₁ and R₂ are alkyls, those compounds are highly preferred in which Ar is any of the substituted phenyls mentioned herein and both R₁ and R₂ are methyl. Specific compounds being:

S-4-nitrophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-bromophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-fluorophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dibromophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate; and

S-2-chlorophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate.

When R₁ is hydrogen or an alkyl, and R₂ is an alkyl, those compounds in which Ar is 4-nitrophenyl, or 3,4-dichlorophenyl are especially preferred. Some specific examples representative of these compounds are:

S-4-nitrophenyl N-n-butylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-isobutylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-nitrophenyl N-isopropylthiolcarbamate;

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-ethylthiolcarbamate;

S-4-nitrophenyl N-ethyl, N-butylthiolcarbamate; and

S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methyl N-ethylthiolcarbamate.

SYNTHESIS OF THE COMPOUNDS a. Synthesis Routes

The compounds may be synthesized by the following routes:

1. Reaction of substituted phenylthiols of the general formula ArSH with the appropriate isocyanates of the general formula R₂ NCO, wherein Ar and R₂ have the same significance as mentioned hereinbefore.

2. Reaction of a substituted phenyl thiolchloroformate of the general formula ##STR3## with an amine of the general formula ##STR4## wherein Ar, R₁, and R₂ have the same significance as defined hereinbefore.

3. Reaction of a substituted phenylthiol of the general formula ArSH with a carbamoyl chloride of the general formula ##STR5## wherein Ar, R₁, and R₂ have the same significance as defined hereinbefore.

b. Synthesis by Reaction of Substituted Phenylthiol and an Isocyanate

The following examples illustrate the synthesis of compounds by reaction of a substituted phenylthiol with the appropriate isocyanate.

EXAMPLE I S-4-fluorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate

Methyl isocyanate (2.4 grams, 42 millimoles) in anhydrous ethylether (10 milliliters) was slowly added (20 minutes) to a stirred mixture of 4-fluorobenzenethiol (5.2 grams, 40.5 millimoles) and triethylamine (one to two drops) in anhydrous ethylether (50 milliliters). The clear reaction mixture was refluxed for four hours, and the ethylether solvent was allowed to evaporate off.

A crystalline material (8.1 grams, > 100 percent yield) was obtained, which was recrystallized from benzene (100 milliliters) to yield 6.6 grams of crystalline S-4-fluorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate. The crystalline material had a melting point of 105.5°-108° Centigrade, and an infrared spectrum with a N--H band at 3300 centimeters⁻¹ and a C═O band at 1650 centimeters⁻¹.

EXAMPLE II S-4-bromophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate

The procedure in Example I was followed using 7.6 grams (40 millimoles) of 4-bromobenzenethiol and 2.4 grams (42 millimoles) of methylisocyanate to obtain 12.6 grams (> 100 percent yield) of a crude crystalline material. This was recrystallized from 100 milliliters of benzene to give 8.6 grams of crystalline S-4-bromophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate with a melting point of 116°-120° Centigrade, and an infrared spectrum with a N-H band at 3260 centimeters³¹ 1, and a C═O band at 1650 centimeters⁻¹.

Analysis for: C₈ H₈ BrNOS, Calculated : C, 39.04 percent; H, 3.27 percent; N, 5.69 percent; Found : C, 39.19, 39.30; H, 3.18, 3.13; N, 5.23, 5.38.

EXAMPLE III S-4-nitrophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate

The procedure in Example I was followed using benzene solvent, 3.0 grams (52 millimoles) of methylisocyanate and 7.8 grams (50 millimoles) of 4-nitrobenzenethiol which was purified by a benzene azeotropic distillation. A crude crystalline product, 8.4 grams (79 percent yield) was obtained which was recrystallized from benzene to give 6.0 grams of crystalline S-4-nitrophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate with a melting point of 135°-145° Centigrade and an infrared spectrum with a N--H band at 3320 centimeters⁻¹ and a C═O band at 1660 centimeters⁻¹.

Analysis for: C₈ H₈ N₂ O₃ S, Calculated : C, 45.27 percent; H, 3.80 percent, N, 13.20 percent; Found : C, 45.40, 45.39 percent; H, 3.64, 3.68 percent; N, 12.84, 12.89 percent.

EXAMPLE IV S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate

The procedure of Example I was followed using 6.3 grams (35 millimoles) of 3,4-dichlorobenzenethiol and 2.1 grams (37 millimoles) of methylisocyanate to obtain 8.4 grams (100 percent yield) of a crude material. The material was recrystallized from benzene to give 6.5 grams of crystalline S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate with a melting point of 130.5°-136° Centigrade and an infrared spectrum with a N-H band at 3280 centimeters⁻¹ and 1655 centimeters⁻¹.

Analysis for : C₈ H₇ Cl₂ NOS, Calculated percentage: C, 40.69; H, 2.99; N, 5.93; Found percentage : C, 40.78, 41.04; H, 2.86, 2.85; N, 5.67, 5.70.

Other inert solvents which dissolve the reactants and products and which are easily removed from the products by evaporation, drying, filtering, or washing, and which have a boiling point appropriate to the reaction temperature may be used in lieu of ethylether or benzene, such as tetrahydrofuran, hexane, and chloroform. The reaction temperature may vary from 0° C. to the boiling point of the refluxing mixture. Preferably the reaction temperature range is from 0° C. to 80° C.

c. Synthesis By Reaction of Substituted phenylthiolchloroformates and Alkylamines

The substituted phenylthiolchloroformates are formed from phosgene and the appropriate substituted phenylthiol. U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,544 describes one method of synthesizing these thiolchloroformates.

The following procedure is used to synthesize the compounds disclosed herein, particularly the S-substituted phenyl N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamates by the reaction of the appropriate thiolchloroformate and alkylamine.

A solution containing a substituted phenylthiolchloroformate of the general formula ##STR6## mentioned herein (45 millimoles) e.g., (3,4-dibromobenzenethiolchloroformate) in about 10 milliliters of ethylether is slowly added dropwise over a 20 minute period to a vigorously stirred amine solution. The amine solution contains about 100 milliliters of water, 100 milliliters of ethylether, 45 millimoles of triethylamine and about 45 millimoles of an alkylamine of the general formula ##STR7## mentioned herein, (e.g.) diethylamine.

The reaction mixture is stirred for an additional half hour at ambient temperature, and the layers of solution are separated. The aqueous layer is washed once with about 100 milliliters of etylether, and this ethylether washing and the ethylether layer of the solution are combined. The combined layers are washed with about 100 milliliters of aqueous solutions of 10 weight percent sodium hydroxide, and 10 weight percent hydrochloric acid, respectively, and then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na₂ So₄).

After filtering off the sodium sulfate, the ethylether solvent is removed by evaporation, and the impure S-substituted phenyl N-alkylthiolcarbamate or S-substituted phenyl N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamate, e.g., S-3,4-dibromophenyl N,N-diethylthiolcarbamate remaining is recrystallized from an inert solvent such as benzene.

d. Synthesis By Reaction of Substituted Phenylthiols With the Appropriate Carbamoyl Chloride

The following procedure illustrates synthesis of the compounds particularly the S-substituted phenyl N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamates mentioned herein, by reaction of substituted phenylthiols of the general formula ArSH mentioned herein with the appropriate alkylcarbamoyl chloride of the general formula ##STR8## mentioned herein.

A five (5) milliliter anhydrous ethylether solution of 50 millimoles of the appropriate alkylcarbamoyl chloride, e.g., dimethylcarbamoyl chloride and a 5 milliliter anhydrous ethylether solution of 50 millimoles of triethylamine are simultaneously added over a 40 minute period at ambient temperature to a stirred 40 milliliter anydrous ethylether solution of 50 millimoles of substituted phenylthiol (e.g., 2-chlorobenzenethiol). The reaction mixture is stirred and refluxed for about 2 to 21/2hours, and is cooled to room temperature and poured into about 50 milliliters of distilled water.

The organic layer and aqueous layer are separated from each other. The aqueous layer is extracted with ethylether and the extracts are combined with the organic layer, which is then washed with about one hundred (100) milliliters of a 10 weight percent aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, and then washed with about one hundred (100 ) milliliters of a 10 weight percent aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, respectively, and then dried with sodium sulfate which is then filtered off.

The solvent of ethylether is removed by evaporation, and the imprue S-substituted phenyl N-alkylthiolcarbamate or S-substituted phenyl N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamate (e.g., S-2-chlorophenyl N,N-dimethylthiolcarbamate) is purified by recrystallization or other techniques if necessary.

PROPERTIES

The compounds disclosed herein are useful to control the deleterious effects of the fungus Phytophthorans infestans, and some are useful to also control the deleterious effects of the fungus Pythium ultimum.

These useful properties are illustrated by the following tests.

CONTROL OF LATE BLIGHT OF TOMATOES (Phytophthorans infestans) TEST PROCEDURE

This disease is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. The test procedure determines protectant properties of a compound; that is, whether the compound prevents plants from the effects of the disease, if the plants are contacted with the compound prior to exposure to the causal fungus.

In this test, Bonny Best tomato plants, approximately 5 to 6 weeks old in five leaf growth stage grown under natural sunlight in a glass covered greenhouse are mounted on a compound turntable and sprayed to incipient run off at 40 pounds pressure for 60 seconds, equivalent to 50 gallons per acre, using solid cone, T-Jet 8001-E spray nozzle tip with a solution for dissolving the compound for testing is an acetone emulsion solution, containing 1995 ml. acetone, 4 ml. Span 85®(sorbitan trioleate), and 1 ml. Tween 80® (sorbitan monooleate polyalkylene derivative).

The pre-determined amount of test compound is dissolved in a volume of the stock solution equivalent to 19 percent by volume of the total spray volume using 90 percent by volume distilled water.

After the treated plants have dried, (4-8 hours), they are inoculated by uniformly spraying with a mixed sporangial and zoaspore suspension of the fungus Phytophthora infestans, taken directly from diseased plants, (50-70 plants per replicate), then incubated at 70° F. and 95 percent or more relative humidity. Inoculation consists of spraying at the rate of 100 milliliters of a suspension containing 10⁶ zoaspores and 10⁵ sporangia per 35 tomato plants. After an incubation period of about 40 hours (in the dark), which normally insures that the spores have a chance to infest the plants, the plants are placed in a glass greenhouse, using natural sunlight, and observed for signs of total infection lesions of the top three leaves visible to the naked eye (generally 3 to 5 days). The greenhouse operates at a temperature from 70° to 80° F. and a humidity range of from 50 to 90 percent.

The severity of the disease is determined by actual count of the developed lesions or inoculated but otherwise untreated controls. The test results are expressed as Control Effectiveness, which is determined by actual count of the number of developed lesions appearing on the respectively treated plants compared directly to equivalent developed lesions on inoculated but otherwise untreated controls. This control effectiveness is expressed as Percent Control which is calculated as follows: ##EQU1##

The foliar fungicidal test results are given in Table 1. Column 1 of Table 1 gives the Example number; column 2 lists the test compound, which is prepared according to the synthesis given herein unless indicated otherwise; column 3 gives the percent control obtained at 1,000 parts per million (ppm).

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                                    Percent Control of                                  Example                    Late Blight                                         No.    Compound Applied    of Tomatoes                                         ______________________________________                                         V      S-β-naphthyl N,N-dimethyl-                                                 thiolcarbamate.sup.d                                                                              51                                                  VI     S-phenyl N-methylthiolcar-                                                      bamate.sup.a        0                                                  VII    S-phenyl N,N-dimethylthiol-                                                     carbamate.sup.a     0                                                  VIII   S-4-chlorophenyl N-methyl-                                                      thiolcarbamate.sup.a,b                                                                             0.sup.c                                            IX     S-4-bromophenyl N-methyl-                                                       thiolcarbamate     60                                                  X      S-4-nitrophenyl N-methyl-                                                       thiolcarbamate     59                                                  XI     S-4-fluorophenyl N-methyl-                                                      thiolcarbamate     67                                                  XII    S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-                                                         methylthiolcarbamate                                                                              72                                                  ______________________________________                                          .sup.a known compound described in U.S. 2,977,209.                             .sup.b known compound described in U.S. 2,977,209 and U.S. 3,265,563, and      claimed for use as a systemic nematocide in Applicant's copending              application entitled SYSTEMIC NEMATOCIDE, Serial No. 408,775, filed            October 23, 1973.                                                              .sup.c "Zer" (0) percent control at 500 ppm and lower concentrations.          .sup.d known compound - Journal of Organic Chemistry, 31, pages 3980-3983                                                                               

CONTROL OF Pythium ultimum (Damping Off) TEST PROCEDURE

Oospores suspensions of Pythium ultimum, which have been examined with a haemocytometer for oospore (plus chlamydospore) numbers per milliliter, were blended at the rate of 1000 oospores per gram of dry sterilized soil.

A blend of sterile soil and the test compound (normally added to the soil as a solution) was also made. The chemically treated soil was mixed with the Pythium-inoculated soil and thoroughly mixed in a soil blender, and the mixture was equally divided, and division was placed into a container seeded with sugar beet seeds, water sealed, and placed in a greenhouse, maintained at 50-75 percent humidity, and 70°-80° Fahrenheit, for 2 weeks.

Containers of sterile soil only, sterile soil plus the test compound, and sterile soil plus Pythium inoculum, were also seeded with sugar beet seeds and placed in the greenhouse.

Observations were made for 14 days, and the final observation was made on the 14th day after preparing the samples.

Disease severity was determined by comparing the actual count of the surviving plants in Pythium-inoculated soil with the actual count of the surviving plants in sterile soil.

Control effectiveness of the test compound was determined by comparing the actual count of surviving plants in the chemically treated soil with the actual count of surviving plants in the Pythium-inoculated soil.

Each test consisted of at least three replicates.

The control effectiveness is expressed as percent control calculated by the following formula: ##EQU2##

The amount of test chemical applied is expressed as pounds per acre (lb/A) for 6 inch depth of soil.

The test results for the compounds are shown in Table 2. Column 1 of the table gives the example number; columnn 2 gives the test compound which was synthesized as disclosed herein unless indicated otherwise; column 3 gives the percent control obtained at 50 pounds per acre.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         PERCENT CONTROL OF Pythium ultimum                                                                        Percent Control of                                  Example                                                                        No.    Compound Applied    Pythium ultimum                                     ______________________________________                                         XIII   S-phenyl N-methylthiol-                                                         carbamate.sup.a     0                                                  XIV    S-phenyl N-n-ethylthiol-                                                        carbamate.sup.a     0                                                  XV     S-4-chlorophenyl N-methyl-                                                      thiolcarbamate.sup.a                                                                               0                                                  XVI    S-4-bromophenyl N-methyl-                                                       thiolcarbamate      0                                                  XVII   S-4-fluorophenyl N-methyl-                                                      thiolcarbamate     47                                                  XVIII  S-4-nitrophenyl N-methyl-                                                       thiolcarbamate     100                                                                             81.sup.d                                                                       71.sup.e                                                                       0.sup.f                                            XIX    S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methyl-                                                  thiolcarbamate     67                                                                              81.sup.b                                                                       61.sup.c                                                                       0.sup.d                                            XX     S-phenyl N,N-dimethylthiol-                                                     carbamate.sup.b     0                                                  XXI    S-β-naphthyl N,N-dimethyl-                                                 thiolcarbamate      0                                                  ______________________________________                                          .sup.a described in U.S. 2,977,209 and U.S. 3,265,563 and disclosed as a       systemic nematocide in Applicant's copending application, SYSTEMIC             NEMATOCIDE, Serial No. 408,775, filed October 23, 1973.                        .sup.b described in U.S. 2,977,209.                                            .sup.c described in Journal of Organic Chemistry, 31, pages 3980-3983.         .sup.d Percent control at 25 pounds per acre.                                  .sup.e Percent control at 12 pounds per acre.                                  .sup.f Percent control at 6 pounds per acre.                             

APPLICATION a. Suitable Agricultural Formulations

The compounds disclosed herein may themselves be applied directly to the area where the deleterious effects of the plant pests are to be controlled. It is, however, preferable to use suitable agricultural formulations which contain other ingredients which enhance application of the compound. These agricultural formulations will generally comprise from 5 percent to 95 percent or more by weight of one or more S-substituted phenyl N-alkyl or N,N-dialkylthiolcarbamate, of the general formula: ##STR9## disclosed herein, or mixtures of these compounds, and either from 1 percent to 95 percent by weight of an agricultural diluent, or from 1 percent to 20 percent by weight of a surface active agent and other ingredients required to produce wettable powders, dusts, solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, granules, and the like, or both.

Wettable powders will contain from 25 to 80 percent active ingredients, from 0.1 percent to 5.0 percent wetters and dispersants with the balance consisting of inorganic absorptive diluents.

Since some compounds are solids, others are liquids, and others are viscous materials, they may be dissolved in one or more solvents and then sprayed upon the absorptive diluents of attapulgite clay, synthetic fine silica, and synthetic calcium and sodium alumino-silicates, or other solid insecticides, or foliar fungicides mentioned herein and then the solvent or solvents are evaporated off.

Emulsifiable oils will contain from 20 percent to 97 percent active ingredient, from 3.0 to 10.0 percent of an emulsifying agent, and may also contain from 1 percent to 77 percent water-immiscible solvent such as xylene or alkylated naphthalene.

Granules will contain from 5 percent to 25 percent active ingredient, and may also contain from 1 percent to 20 percent of a surfactant extended upon a granular base such as vermiculite or granular attapulgite. Granules produced by extrusion or tumbling will contain like amounts of active ingredient and surfactant.

b. Combinations With Other Insecticides and Fungicides

For the control of a wider range of crop-pests and diseases it is sometimes desirable to combine one or more of the thiolcarbamates of the general formula: ##STR10## with from 0.05 to 4 parts by weight of insecticides and fungicides, etc., known to be effective against crop-pests and diseases in concentrated premix or during the application step for foliar applications. Examples of other pesticides are: granules containing stable metal azide-metal salt formulations disclosed in assignee's copending application entitled AZIDE-METAL SALT FORMULATIONS, Ser. No. 624,,357, filed Oct. 21, 1975, containing S-4-methoxyphenyl N-2,3-dibromopropylthiolcarbamate, disclosed is assignee's copending application entitled S-p-METHOXYPHENYL N-BIS-2,3-DIBROMOPROPYLTHIOLCARBAMATE, Serial. No. 631,751, filed Nov. 7, 1975, or S-4-methoxyphenyl N,N-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)thiolcarbamate disclosed in assignee's copending application entitled S-p-METHOXYPHENYL N,N-DIALLYLTHIOLCARBAMATE and S-p-METHOXYPHENYL N,N-BIS(2,3-DIBROMOPROPYL)THIOLCARBAMATE, Ser. No. 631,802, filed Nov. 7, 1975, Sevin 1(naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate), Chlorobenzilate (ethyl 4,4'-dichlorobenzilate), Guthion (O,O-diethyl-S-[4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazin-3(4H)-ylmethyl]phosphorodithioate), Disyston (0,0-diethyl-S-[2-(ethylsulfinyl)ethyl]phosphorodithiate), Maneb (mamnganous ethylene bisdithiocarbamate), Karathane (mixture of 2,4-dinitro-6-octylphenylcrotonate, 2,6-dinitro-4-octylphenylcrotonate, nitroocylphenols (principally dinitro), 4-(1-methylheptyl)2,6-dinitrophenylcrotonate, 4-(1-ethylhexyl)2,6-dinitrophenylcrotonate, 4-(1-propylpentyl)2,6-dinitrophenylcrotonate, 6-(1-methylheptyl)-2,4-dinitrophenylcrotonate, 6-(1-ethylhexyl)2,4-dinitrophenylcrotonate, and 6-(1-propylpentyl)2,4-dinitrophenylcrotonate), Blasticidin (blasticidin-S-benzylaminobenzenesulfonate), Benlate (methyl 1-(butylcarbamoyl)-2-benzimidazolecarbamate), or Plantvax (5,6-dihydro-2methyl-1,4-oxathiin-3-carboxanilide-4,4-dioxide).

In some instances it is also desirable to include special purpose additives which will inhibit corrosion, reduce foaming, reduce caking, or increase flocculation.

The following example illustrates a suitable emulsifiable concentrate formulation, for dilution in water for spraying plants, particularly, plant foliage or for application to other plant parts as herein mentioned. In this emulsifiable concentrate formulation, the percentages are weight percent.

                  EXAMPLE XXII                                                     ______________________________________                                         EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATE FORMULATIONS                                          3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate                                                                13%                                                  Xylene                    41%                                                  Isophorone                41%                                                  Atlox® 3404*          1%                                                   Atlox® 3403 F*        4%                                                   ______________________________________                                          *Commercial emulsifier for agricultural pesticides manufactured by Atlas       Powder Co., Wilmington, Delaware, and registered with the U.S. Food and        Drug Administration.                                                     

c. Amount of the Compounds Described Herein to Apply

The novel compounds described herein when used for a fungicide, to control Late Blight of Tomatoes (Phytophthorans infestans), are applied in an amount effective to control this plant pest. This amount is a fungicidal amount, which amount will vary with the season of the year, the weather, and the severity of the disease. These fungus plant pests include those specifically described and shown herein as well as equivalent species which are biologically related such as those of the genus Phytophthorans and may be controlled by application of the compounds.

A single compound may be used in the formulation described herein, preferably a plurality of the compounds are used together either in a formulation or by concurrent application, this is applying one or more of the compounds to the plant itself. In other applications, one or more compounds may be applied to the plant, and within about 10 days, the one or more of same compounds, or different compounds may be applied to the plant so as to effectively control plant pests.

When the compounds of the general formula ##STR11## are applied as a foliar fungicide, the rate of application is from 20 parts per million to the amount tolerated by plant, generally from 500 to 10,000 parts per million (ppm) of one or more of the active compounds, applied as a solution to the point of run off, or as a powder or dust which thinly coats the plant part desired to be covered.

Those compounds in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₂ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl may be applied at lower rates of from 500 to 7500 ppm (parts per million). Those in which R₂ is methyl may be applied at still lower rates from 500 to 2000 ppm.

Those compounds in which R₁ and R₂ are an alkyl mentioned herein, are applied at rates from 500 to 9000 ppm. Those compounds in which R₁ is methyl and R₂ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or isopropyl may be applied at lower rates of from 500 to 4000 ppm. Those compounds in which R₁ and R₂ are methyl are generally used at lower rates of from 500 to 2000 ppm.

When used to control the soil fungus Pythium ultimum the novel compounds may be applied at rates of from 6 pounds per acre per 6 inch depth of soil to as high as 500 pounds per acre per 6 inch depth of soil, depending upon, the application method, e.g., soil incorporation, discing, band, the type of formulation used, the plant species to be protected, the extend of the soil infestation, local conditions such as temperature, humidity, moisture content of the soil, nature of the soil, e.g., clay, loam, sand, pH, etc.

Those compounds in which Ar is 4-nitrophenyl,4-fluorophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl may be used at lower rates such as from 6 pounds per acre to 300 pounds per acre, of these compounds those in which R₁ and R₂ are methyl may be used at lower rates of 12 pounds per acre to 200 pounds per acre, and those in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₂ is methyl are generally used at the lowest rates of 12 pounds per acre to 50 pounds per acre. Preferably the compound is applied prior to planting the plants.

The phrase "to effectively control the deleterious effects of plant pest" as used herein and in the claims means that control required to increase the yield of plants growing in infested areas and treated with the compound, as compared to non-treated plants. This effective control may range from 10 percent to 100 percent control.

The phrase "applying an effective amount" as used herein and in the claims means applying that amount necessary to attain effective control by any application technique in which the compound and plant pest are brought into mutual contact, such as to the foliage of the plant, to the soil itself, to the fungus itself, or other plant pest.

D. Application To Control Other Plant Pests

Although the novel compounds of the general formula ##STR12## are used to control Late Blight of Tomatoes, this does not preclude their use against other plant pests. For example the compound 2-chlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate may be used for systemic control of the deleterious effects of Meloidogyne nemas species such as Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne exigua (Coffee Root-knot Nematode), Meloidogyne arenaria (Peanut Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne hapla (Northern Root-knot Nematode), and Citrus root Nematode.

Other species of nematodes may be controlled by applications other than systemic foliage contact, for example, by supplying the compounds having activity against the harmful effects of nematodes to the soil, by dipping the bulbs in solutions. Some examples of these other nematodes are:

    ______________________________________                                         Aphelenchoides species                                                                          Bud and Leaf Nematodes                                        Anguina tritici  Wheat Nematode                                                Anguina agrostis Grass Nematode                                                Belonolaimus species                                                                            Sting Nematodes                                               Criconemoides species                                                                           Ring Nematodes                                                Titylonchus dipsaci                                                                             Stem and Bulb Nematode                                        Ditylonchus destructor                                                                          Potato Rot Nematode                                           Ditylonchus angustus                                                                            Rice Nematode                                                 Dolichodorus heterocephalus                                                                     Awl Nematode                                                  Helicotylenchus species                                                                         Spiral Nematodes                                              Heterodera rostochiensis                                                                        Golden Nematode                                               Heterodera tabacum                                                                              Tobacco Cyst Nematode                                         Heterodera schachtii                                                                            Sugar Beet Nematode                                           Heterodera carotae                                                                              Carrot Root Nematode                                          Heterodera gottingiana                                                                          Pea Root Nematode                                             Heterodera glycines                                                                             Soybean Cyst Nematode                                         Hoplolaimus species                                                                             Lance Nematodes                                               Pratylenchus brachyurus                                                                         Smooth-headed Lesion Nematode                                 Pratylenchus species                                                                            Meadow Nematodes                                              Pratylenchus musicola                                                                           Banana Nematode                                               Pratylenchus zeae                                                                               Corn Nematode                                                 Radopholus similis                                                                              Burrowing Nematode                                            Rotylenchus reniformis                                                                          Kidney-shaped Nematode                                        Trichodorus species                                                                             Stubby-root Nematodes                                         Tylenchorhynchus claytoni                                                                       Tobacco Stunt Nematode                                        Xiphinema species                                                                               Dagger Nematodes                                              ______________________________________                                    

Those compounds in which Ar is 4-nitrophenyl, R₁ is H, and R₂ is an alkyl mentioned herein, can be used at rates from 50 to 500 pounds per acre per 6 inch depth of soil to control the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii.

Those compounds in which Ar is 4-nitrophenyl or 4-fluorophenyl and R₁ is H and R₂ is an alkyl mentioned herein could be used at rates from 50 to 500 pounds per acre per 6 inch depth of soil to control the plant pest Fusarium solani, at rates from 2000 ppm to 10,000 ppm to control foliar fungus such as Fusarium oxysporium f. lycopersici which causes Fusarium Wilt of Tomatoes.

The compound 4-bromophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate could be used to control the foliar fungus Piricularia oryzoe, the cause of Rice Blast Disease.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific details of certain illustrative embodiments, it is not intended that it shall be limited thereby except insofar a such details appear in the accompanying claims. 

I claim:
 1. A method of controlling the deleterious effects of a fungus selected from the group consisting of Phytophthorans and Pythium ultimum which comprises:contacting the fungus with an effective amount of a compound to control the deleterious effects of said fungus, said compound having a general formula: ##STR13## wherein: Ar is selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 3,4-dibromophenyl, and 2-chlorophenyl; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms; and R₂ is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the fungus is of the genus Phytophthorans.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the fungus is Phytophthorans infestans.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and 3,4-dichlorophenyl.
 5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein R₁ is hydrogen.
 6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein R₂ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl.
 7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein R₂ is methyl.
 8. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the fungus is Pythium ultimum.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein R₁ is hydrogen.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein R₂ is methyl.
 11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein R₁ and R₂ is methyl.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is S-4-nitrophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is S-3,4-dichlorophenyl N-methylthiolcarbamate. 